Review of the Year- 2016
The Annual General Meeting for the PDCCF was held this week and like each year we take the opportunity to look back at achievements, look forward to future events and to say “thank you” to all those involved in the charity.
I would like to start by saying “thank you” to all those who have given their time, effort and money on behalf of the charity over the past year. In doing so, they have had a direct and positive impact on local children and their families undergoing treatment for cancer at Poole Hospital.
It is difficult for those not directly with patients and their families to fully appreciate the impact that their efforts have. The best example of this is our annual weekend trip to Centre Parcs, Longleat. This weekend allows families to get away, although not too far, from home, hospitals and even from childhood cancer for a short while and where they can be a “normal family” for a weekend. The feedback and thanks from the families is always positive and is remembered for many years.
This is not the only event we run or the only help we give, with many individual families benefiting from individual help and support.
I would also like to thank all the Trustees and co-opted members of the charity for all their hard work over the past 12 months. The trustees and co-opted members are all volunteers and give their time without charge so that money raised can be used for the benefit of the children and their families. Supporting the trustees and co-opted members are their families and friends, these are often the “unsung heroes” of the charity putting up with phone calls, emails, fund raising events and the regular charity meetings, I would like to say a big thank you to the families and friends of our charity trustees.
During the last 22 years, Margaret (and her husband Ray) has helped with many aspects of the charity and its running. Margaret is not standing for re-election as a trustee this year and for me this is the end of an era. Over the years the charity has changed as have the roles of the trustees. The trustees have also changed and are 20yrs older! Margaret as well as being a founder of the charity has only rarely missed a meeting and has continued to give her valued opinion and advice during the trustee meetings. I know that I, and I am sure all those involved with the Charity, will miss Margaret’s presence and her fantastic memory for everything associated with the charity. On behalf of the Trustees, friends of the charity and the many families and children helped over the years, I would just like to say a very big “Thank you” to Margaret and we all wish her well for the future.
The Charity is looking forward to another great year with lots of events and fundraisers already in the pipeline and as always, we welcome any donations or volunteers that enable the charity to continue the great work it does.
Thank you!